Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Clive Betts Excerpts
Thursday 30th March 2017

(7 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Paul Maynard Portrait Paul Maynard
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My hon. Friend is quite right to campaign on behalf of the Ivanhoe line and of his constituents. I hope that all Members of Parliament across the east midlands will contribute to the consultation and make it clear what they want to see in the new franchise. We look forward to reading their responses to the consultation.

Clive Betts Portrait Mr Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) (Lab)
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May I press the Minister again on that point? When the franchise is let, the HSTs are going to be phased out, having reached the end of their very long lives, and will need to be replaced. Will they be replaced with hybrid trains that will not have to be changed again when the midland main line is eventually electrified?